Brown vetoes bill to allow non-citizens on juries

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed a bill that would have allowed non-citizens who are legal residents to serve as jurors in California.

Brown's office announced the veto of AB1401 on Monday. The Democratic governor says in a veto statement that he does not think it is right to expand jury service to non-citizens.

The bill by Democratic Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski of Fremont was intended to expand the pool of prospective jurors. Wieckowski said in a statement that lawful immigrants are part of the fabric of communities and should be included in such civic obligations.

The bill passed the Legislature on a largely party-line vote, with Democrats supporting it. But Brown says serving on a jury is a "responsibility of citizenship."